Fate of Biden’s economic agenda at stake as House faces crucial vote

Biden cancels trip as Democrats seek unity over two key bills, with vote on infrastructure measure due on Thursday

Democrats are on the verge of a make-or-break moment that will determine the fate of Joe Biden's ambitious economic agenda, as they rush to bridge the internal divisions threatening to derail passage of the sweeping $3.5tn social policy package and a smaller infrastructure bill.

Failure would be disastrous for the president and his party's political prospects in the midterm elections next year, but success was far from certain with less than 48 hours left before a consequential vote in the House on Thursday.